Residents Invited to Apply for 2024 Residents Academy

The City of Bloomington invites residents to apply for the 2024 Residents Academy, to be held on ten Thursday evenings, August 15, and August 29 through October 24, 6-8 pm. Sessions include interactive presentations by City staff, as well as demonstrations and tours of City facilities. Previous participant experiences included:

• Touring Switchyard Park and learning about its development from a railway hub to Bloomington’s newest award-winning park.
• Riding in the bucket of the Bloomington Fire Department’s 100-foot aerial ladder truck for a birds eye view of the city.
• Touring the Near West Side neighborhood, Bloomington’s newest historic district.
• Experiencing a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bloomington Animal Shelter.

The City’s  Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) developed the Residents Academy in 1999 to encourage civic engagement and to educate residents about City government, including topics such as:

• Structure and function of city government and how it differs from county, state and federal government.
• Challenges faced by city government as it balances budget limitations with community goals and service needs.
• Day-to-day operations.
• The structure and function of city departments.
• Opportunities for resident involvement through city boards and commissions.
• Innovative approaches to problem solving, and goals for the future. 

“The 2024 Residents Academy promises to be a fun and engaging learning experience,” said Angela Van Rooy, HAND Neighborhood Services Program Manager. “Please consider applying for this free program, if you are a Bloomington resident, 18 years or older. Student members of the NextGen Advocacy Program may also apply.” The NextGen Advocacy Program is a student-led group that educates students from Bloomington area high schools on the workings, importance, and logistics of local city government.

The application deadline is  Monday, July 8, 2024. Applicants will be notified of either their acceptance into the program or their placement on a waitlist by Monday, July 15, 2024. Preference will be given to residents who live within the Bloomington city limits. 

The City of Bloomington strives to be an accessible community and Residents Academy offers participants mobility accommodations. Due to the nature of class sessions, the Academy is an in-person experience. There is no virtual option.

You may apply online at bloomington.in.gov/residentsacademy. To request a paper application, please contact Angela Van Rooy, HAND Neighborhood Services Program Manager at angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3505.